5-4-3-2-1-Framed

5-4-3-2-1 is now framed.  I'm really pleased with it.  I knew what I wanted, but it isn't always easy to explain to the framer!  But we finally got it.  It is unusual and kinda dramatic.  Perfect!  Here's a view off to the side a bit.

TWO FINISHES!!

Stash Cats Two is finished.  I decided to use the same background that others have used on this project.  It is a simple open diamond with just one strand of floss.  It went quickly and by planning ahead, I was able to anchor in the cat.  I'm going to have it made into a pillow.

5-4-3-2-1 is also finished.  It took me 2 days to get the ribbons finished.  I wanted a red, but didn't have it in the ribbon floss so I tried Frosty Rays.  Didn't like it at all - too bright and too wide.  So, no red.  I used several different colors of the shimmer ribbon floss.  It could be better, but this is as good as it's going to get.  (You have to enlarge the photo to see the ribbons.) 

This piece looks so much better in person!  I hang it on the wall to photograph and the white wall shows through the black canvas. 

Off to the framers!  I hope they can do what I want, but I may have to do the mounting part myself.

5-4-3-2-1... Progress #8

The main stitching is done!  Now I have to lay in the ribbons.  The ribbons called for in the pattern are not what I'm using, I've got Shimmer Floss ribbons in many colors, so I'll be choosing from those.  The pattern wanted the ribbons to be put on first and then you stitch around and through them.  I found that to be a real pain!  They were just in the way and got frayed badly.  So I'm doing them at the end.  Hopefully I can get a similar look!

5-4-3-2-1... Progress #7

Made some real progress on this.  Section 4 is complete.  Section 5 is started and will go quickly!  Then I will redo the few ribbons I put in and add more.  I checked and I do have the colors I need (of ribbons).  Then the framing process.  I know how I want it to look, of course we don't yet know if that is possible!

5-4-3-2-1 Progress #6

It has been a little over a year since I last posted about this WIP!  But now I am working on it again.  There are 5 sections and I am now working on #4. This is somewhat tedious to work on (I say that a lot lately!) but is going faster now that I decided to try to do all of one color, then go on to the next, rather than work one square at a time!  It is ALL little 5x5 squares.  Sigh.  But I still like it and it will be spectacular when finished & framed!

5-4-3-2-1, Progress #5

I haven't worked on this for a really, really long time!  Last weekend I got it out and stitched on it and realized I had accomplished quite a bit since the last time I showed it here.
This was intended to be a silk gauze project, but I am doing it on black 18-count canvas.  I changed all the threads, but tried to keep the colors as close as possible.  It is tedious to work on, but I think it will be really exceptional when finished.

By the way, my cataract surgery went very well.  Much better than last time.  In only a week, I am able to work on this project!

This is what it is supposed to look like:

5-4-3-2-1, Progress 4

I have worked on this piece once in awhile and finally have made enough progress to tell the difference!  It is tedious to stitch, but when I'm in the mood I enjoy it.  It is a challenge, that's for sure!
All those little squares are only 5x5 and the color changes every few stitches.  I look forward to those squares that are all one color!

5-4-3-2-1... Progress 3

Note:  I am writing this up ahead of time because I know that the week this posts I will be in the midst of box world, having just moved into our new house!  

I made quite a bit of progress on this piece, but it is slow going!  Those little squares are only 5 stitches square and there are soooo many color changes.  I have figured out a bit of a system and now work on 2-3 rows of squares at a time so I can get more of a color done at a time without the counting getting out of hand!  I think it is kind of cool looking!!

Thanks for your patience.  This is the last post I could set up in advance, so it may be a couple weeks before there's another one!

5-4-3-2-1 and some 3s, Progress #2

You probably don't even remember this piece!  I started it nearly a year ago and, as you can see, haven't made much progress!

It is tedious to work on.  The little squares are quite small and so you're constantly changing colors.  See all the spaghetti?  Unavoidable.  And the Silk Shimmer that will lay on top is always in the way.  And then it is on black canvas.  Sigh.  How do I get myself into these things!

I hope to start working on this more regularly very soon.

5-4-3-2-1 and some 3s

5-4-3-What?  Is that a crazy title or what?!  Well, I first saw this most unusual pattern on eBay, but did not win the auction.  A year or two later, I was finally able to track it down and buy it.  This design is meant to be stitched with silk on silk gauze and came as a kit.  No, I am NOT going to stitch on gauze!  I am doing it on black 18-count canvas with floss.  There is also some metallic (Kreinik for me) and silk ribbon (overdyed shimmer ribbon floss for me).  I have just barely begun.  The basic pattern is pretty simple, 5x5 squares mostly, but to begin with you are supposed to lay the ribbon floss around, sort of randomly (oh oh, the R word!).  I started that & decided I needed to work the squares up to where the ribbon will be first.  Here is all I have done.  I know, it doesn't look like much yet but I have high hopes!